Season 6 of 'Hawaii Five-0' kicks off with blessing ceremony

HAWAII KAI, OAHU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Filming for the sixth season of "Hawaii Five-0" officially kicked off Wednesday morning when the show's cast and crew gathered for a traditional Hawaiian blessing in Hawaii Kai.

In addition to executive producer Peter Lenkov, cast members Alex O'Loughlin, Grace Park, Daniel Dae Kim and Ian Anthony Dale also helped carry on the show's tradition of a blessing ceremony to mark the start of a new season with fresh beginnings.

"I think it's going to be a good season," Park said. "I know that's not saying a lot, but I think a lot of it is the mindset that you bring in with you, and you never know how many more it's going to be … so you really have to make an effort to be mindful about what it is you're going to bring into it and what attitudes and how you're going to make every day of every episode special."

Kim, who has lived in Hawaii since the start of the TV series "Lost" in 2004, said he's excited for the next season of "Hawaii Five-0," especially since he enjoys filming in the place he calls home.

"It's my home and so I like to be a part of the community," Kim said. "My kids go to school here. My family lives here, so I'm invested in the place where I live."

O'Loughlin added he also feels very grateful that the show has maintained its popularity over the years and that he's able to stay in Hawaii as filming continues.

"I think to myself what am I going to do when this is over? I don't want to leave Hawaii," he said. "I mean, the longer the show goes, the less I have to worry about the practical day-in-the life things."

Every season before getting back to work, the show holds a blessing ceremony as a sign of respect for the host culture. Blessings typically help usher in new beginnings with a prayer, untying of a maile lei and a ceremony that unites the cast, crew and invited dignitaries.

The popular CBS police drama based in Hawaii was picked up for a sixth season after its action-packed, two-hour season finale in May.